Taking a trekking route to the Everest Base Camp is one of the best ways to explore Mount Everest from Tibetan side. You can choose from three amazing routes, each offering unique views of Mount Everest and suitable for different trekking levels.

The Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular and beginner-friendly option. The Gama Valley trek is the most scenic, through the hidden path on Mount Everest’s eastern slope. While the Advanced Base Camp trek from Everest Base Camp is a true challenge for those with high-altitude trekking experience.

In this guide, we will explain details about all the three Everest trekking routes on Tibetan side. Read to know their trekking routes, scenery highlights, and practical tips respectively. Get inspired for your next trekking adventure in Tibet!

#1 Everest Base Camp Trek Route: 4-day Tingri to EBC Trek (Easiest & Most Popular)

The trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is the most popular Everest trekking route in Tibet. This amazing 4-day hike covers a distance of about 70 kilometers across villages, valleys, forests, high passes, and vide oven plains.

Starting from Tingri (4,390m), the trek has a moderate difficulty level among all treks in Tibet. But it is the easiest one you can trek around the Everest region in the Tibetan side, and can be done by beginners, as long as you are relatively fit.

Route of Tingri to EBC Trek

The route starts from Tingri, and heads south on a direct line towards the world’s highest mountain. You will trek for about 10 to 20 kilometers every day, and ascend to the highest point of 5,150 meters at Lamna-la Pass en route. The final point is 5, 000 meters at Everest Base Camp.

Before the trek, it is recommended to travel from Lhasa to Tingri via Shigatse, which follows a well-paved road. Spend several days in Lhasa for the iconic highlights like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple to better acclimatize to the high altitude.

Days	Route	Altitude	Distance
Day 1	Tingri - Ra-chu Valley - Lungthang	4,390 m - 4,510 m	12 km / 5 hrs
Day 2	Lungthang - Lamna La Pass	4,510 m - 5,150 m	21 km / 8 hrs
Day 3	Lamna La Pass - Zombuk Village	5,150 m - 4,790 m	21 km / 8 hrs
Day 4	Zombuk - Everest Base Camp	4,790 m - ,5000 m	11 km / 3-4 hrs

Highlights of Tingri to EBC Trek

As well as the amazing views of the Himalayan mountains and vast open plains, the major highlights of the trek are the Rongbuk Monastery and the arrival at EBC.

Rongbuk Monastery is renowned as the highest Buddhist monastery in the world, lying at an altitude of 4,980 meters. Everest Base Camp is the closest place to see Mount Everest’s peak from the Tibetan side. If weather permits, you can also witness sunrise, sunset or even starry night sky here.

Trekking Tips for Tingri to EBC Trek

1. The accommodation condition along this way is basic. You need to stay in monastery guesthouse or camping along the way. At Everest Base Camp, you can stay in the tent guesthouse (April to October) or the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse.

2. The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is from April to June and September to November, and this is the same with trekking. During these months, the Everest region is warmer, and you will have more chances to enjoy a clear view of Everest’s peak.

3. The trek is a long and at high altitude, so rest whenever possible to avoid altitude sickness. Temperatures are also low even in summer, so so it is essential to stay warm and hydrated. Warm clothing is required all year round, so make sure you have a warm jacket, sweaters, gloves, and hat.

Join our classic EBC trek tour for a smooth experience!

#2 Everest Base Camp Trek Route: 8-day Gama Valley Trek (Most Scenic)

Renowned as one of the top ten trekking routes in the world, the Gama Valley trek is an awesome journey through one of the most beautiful areas in Tibet. The scenery along the way is constantly changing, from low-altitude virgin forests to high-altitude alpine deserts. You will fully explore this area from this off-the-beaten-path.

Route of Gama Valley Trek

The Gama Valley Trek on the eastern side of Mount Everest usually takes 8 days. Starting at Youpa Village (3,770 m) at the lower end of the valley, the trek ascends more than 1,500 meters along the way, so it is not easy for all travelers. If you want to challenge this route, you need to have some experiences of high altitude trek.

Days	Route	Altitude	Distance
Day 1	Youpa Village – Showo-tso Pond	3,770 m to 4,900 m	10 km /6 hrs
Day 2	Showo-tso Pond - Dolshang	4,900 m to 4,030m	14 km /7 hrs
Day 3	Dolshang – Tangsung Viewing Platform	4,030 m to 4,510m	12 km /6 hrs
Day 4	Tangsung Viewing Platform - Paltang	4,510m to 4,950m	11 km /5-6 hrs
Day 5	Paltang – EBC - Paltang	4,950m to 5,310m and back to 4,950m	18 km /6-7 hrs
Day 6	Paltang – Tangsung Viewing Platform	4,950m to 4,510m	14 km /8 hrs
Day 7	Tangsung Viewing Platform – Tsosho-rim	4,510m to 5,013m	11 km /7 hrs
Day 8	Tsoho-rim – Lhundupling Village	5,013m to 3,990m	21 km /8-10 hrs

Highlights of Gama Valley Trek

One of the highlights of this Tibet trekking tour is the inspiring views of the Himalayan mountains. You will have a chance to see 8,000-meter-high peaks such as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Makalu up close when hiking through the valley.

You will also experience various landscapes along the trail, including crystal lakes, highland pasture, lush forests, and splendid glaciers. What’s more, you will get the chance to visit the local Sherpa people of the Gama Valley, who have lived in the area around Mount Everest for thousands of years.

Trekking Tips for the Gama Valley Trek

1. Since you need to camp in the snow mountain area, you need to take the warmest sleeping bag with you to keep you warm at the chilly night.

2. Besides a local guide, you may also need to hire some yaks and yak porters with you to carry your package and trekking gears for you.

3. The best time to trek through the Gama Valley is from April to June and from September to October. During these months, you can see the most vibrant forest and grassland in the valley.

Join our carefully designed Gama Valley trek to enjoy different views of Mt. Everest!

#3 Everest Base Camp Trek Route: 5-day Advanced Base Camp Trek (Most Challenging)

The trek from Everest Base Camp to the Advanced Base Camp on Mount Everest, from 5,000 meters to 6,500 meters, is the highest trekking route in the world. Trekkers on this route need some professional climbing gear, as well as a little mountaineering skill. By taking this arduous route, you can get to the closest base camp to the summit of Mount Everest to enjoy the breathtaking view of the top of the world.

Route of Advanced Base Camp Trek

The five-day trek starts from the Everest Base Camp at the foot of Mount Everest, and heads along the same route as mountaineers to the summit take. Covering 22 kilometers, the route only requires walking for 5-6 kilometers a day, different from those at lower altitudes. But the trekking requires more physical strength and more physical fitness.

Days	Route	Altitude	Distance
Day 1	EBC - Camp 1	5,200 m to 5,460 m	5 km / 6 hrs
Day 2	Camp 1 - Interim Camp	5,460 m to 5,760 m	6 km / 6-7 hrs
Day 3	Interim Camp - Camp 2	5,760 m to 5,970 m	5 km / 6 hrs
Day 4	Camp 2 - ABC - Camp 2	5,970 m to 6,500 m and back to 5,970 m	6 km / 9 hrs
Day 5	Camp 2 - EBC	5,970 m to 5,000 m	16 km / 10 hrs

Highlights of Advanced Base Camp Trek

During the trek, you will cross the Rongbuk Glacier, which is one of the most outstanding glaciers in Tibet. You will also enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Pumori and Mt. Nuptse.

The Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is the limit of trekking and the highest point that yaks can reach. From here, only mountaineers with experience can continue, but you can enjoy the closest view of the Everest summit without climbing.

Travel Tips for Advanced Base Camp Trek

1. Before this trek, it is suggested to spend one night at Everest Base Camp to better acclimatize the high altitude.

2. Whenever you go, even in the summer time, it is essential to make sure that you are well prepared, with good arctic clothing and sleeping bags, as it can get very cold on the higher slopes.

3. The trek can only be done at the same times as the attempts for mountaineering, due to the extreme altitudes, which limits it to May and October.

4. Beside the ordinary Tibet Travel Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit to visit Mount Everest, you need to apply for another trekking permit from EBC to ABC. However, the application of this trekking permit is no longer available since 2018. We’ll keep you informed of any changes.

Which EBC Trek Route is Right for You? Insider Tips

If you are a beginner or new to high-altitude trekking, it is recommended to take the Tingri to EBC trek. This trek is relatively moderate, at a lower altitude than the other two, and offers classic views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks.

If you have some high-altitude trekking experience and want to try a less-traveled route, the Gama Valley trek on the eastern slope of Mount Everest is a great choice. Taking this route, you will fully immerse yourself in the wilderness, experience changing landscapes, and encounter local Sherpa culture.

For those with some mountaineering skills who want to challenge both their physical and mental strength, you can try the Advanced Base Camp trek. Without climbing, you can get as close as possible to the summit of Everest.

No matter which Everest trekking route you prefer, we are always here to help you achieve your dream trek trip in Tibet. We guarantee the required documents like Tibet Travel Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit, provide an experienced local trekking guide, and offer the necessary trekking kits to ensure you have a comfortable and relaxed trek. With us, you can enjoy a safe and seamless trekking experience in Tibet.

Conclusion

The three treks around Mount Everest are three of the most amazing treks that you can find anywhere on the planet. The Tingri to EBC trek is the easiest, but has some amazing scenery and is a great way to reach the base camp. The hikes of the Gama Valley are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in the world, and there is no valley like this anywhere else on the planet.

And the ABC trek up the higher slopes of Mount Everest can not only give you some great views of the summit, but can also help to fulfil the dreams of climbing Mt. Everest. If you have any questions or travel ideas, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today. We’re here to ensure a hassle-free trekking tour in Tibet!